Best 5 20 Minute Mac N Cheese Recipes

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Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that is typically made with macaroni pasta, cheese, and milk. It can be prepared in many different ways, but the 20-minute version is a quick and easy option that is perfect for busy weeknights. 20 minute mac n cheese is a simple and easy recipe that is perfect for a weeknight meal or a quick lunch. The creamy sauce and tender macaroni make this dish a hit with both kids and adults alike. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal on the table in no time.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

20-MINUTE MAC AND CHEESE



20-Minute Mac and Cheese image

Homemade mac and cheese in 20 minutes! You can do it!

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 20m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 packages (7 oz each) small pasta shells
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/4 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups half-and-half
3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (12 oz)
4 medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper

Steps:

  • Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
  • Meanwhile, in 3-quart nonstick saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in flour, salt, mustard and pepper. Cook over low heat 20 seconds, stirring constantly, until butter is absorbed. Remove from heat; gradually beat in half-and-half with wire whisk. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in cheese until melted.
  • Stir pasta, onions and bell pepper into sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, until hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 510, Carbohydrate 49 g, Cholesterol 75 mg, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 3 g, Protein 21 g, SaturatedFat 15 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 650 mg, Sugar 4 g, TransFat 1/2 g

20-MINUTE MAC 'N CHEESE



20-Minute Mac 'n Cheese image

Provided by Jet Tila

Categories     main-dish

Time 20m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 pound dry elbow macaroni
Coarse salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk
2 1/3 cups finely shredded Cheddar
1/2 cup finely shredded Gruyere
1/2 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Pinch white pepper
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the macaroni and about 1 tablespoon salt and cook according to package directions, usually 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a colander and drain well.
  • While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a 4-quart pot over medium heat. Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon, stirring and cooking until the mixture is smooth, about 1 minute. Whisk in about 1/2 cup of the milk, whisking until no lumps remain. Then whisk in the rest of the milk until the sauce is smooth. Bring to a simmer and whisk constantly until the sauce is slightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the Cheddar, Gruyere and Parmigiano-Reggiano with a wooden spoon. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Stir in the pepper and nutmeg and season to taste with salt. Remove from the heat.
  • Transfer the drained pasta to a large bowl. Pour the sauce over the pasta and stir until well combined. Serve warm.

20-MINUTE MAC 'N' CHEESE RECIPE - (4.1/5)



20-Minute Mac 'N' Cheese Recipe - (4.1/5) image

Provided by Pebbles-2

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 C milk
6 T butter, cut into pieces
6 T all purpose flour
8 oz. shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
8 oz. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 t ground pepper
1 lb. cavatappi pasta
1 1/2 C panko bread crumbs
1 t olive oil

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°. Microwave 2 cups milk at HIGH for 1 1/2 minutes. Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-low heat; whisk in 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in warm milk, and cook, whisking constantly, 5 minutes or until thickened. Whisk in 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. black pepper, 1 cup shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, and, if desired, 1/4 tsp. red pepper until smooth; stir in 1/2 (16-oz.) package elbow macaroni pasta. Spoon pasta mixture into a lightly greased 2-qt. baking dish; top with extra-sharp Cheddar cheese. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

MACARONI AND CHEESE FOR 20-25



Macaroni and Cheese for 20-25 image

Make and share this Macaroni and Cheese for 20-25 recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Nancy Sneed

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h

Yield 25 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

3/4 cup butter
1/4 cup minced onion
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
2 teaspoons powdered ginger
2 quarts milk
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 lbs sharp cheddar cheese (cut in small pieces, finely sliced, coarsely shredded or grated)
2 lbs elbow macaroni

Steps:

  • Melt butter in 3 quart or larger kettle, cook onion in butter until soft.
  • Add flour mixed with salt, mustard, and ginger, and cook, stirring constantly until bubbly.
  • Remove from heat, add milk, stirring or whisking continuously.
  • Put back on heat and continue stirring until sauce thickens.
  • Remove from heat, stir in worcestershire sauce and cheese.
  • Stir until cheese is melted.
  • Mix with elbow macaroni cooked according to package directions.
  • Bake in a 400°F oven in two buttered 11X15 shallow pans,or three buttered 2 quart casseroles, or two 3 qt casseroles.
  • Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, then covered for an additional 15-20 minutes.
  • Cover with aluminum foil is you don't have lids.
  • If baked frozen, bake an additional 20 minutes.

CHEATER'S MAC AND CHEESE



Cheater's Mac and Cheese image

Some days call for a meal that soothes as much as it satisfies, and that's when this 20-minute mac-and-cheese swoops in. Pasta and broccoli are cooked in the same pot, then drained and stirred together with reserved pasta water, cream cheese, butter, and Parmesan for the easiest sauce ever. One carbo-licious bite, and all your cares will melt away.

Provided by Greg Lofts

Categories     Food & Cooking     Quick & Easy Recipes

Time 20m

Yield Serves 2

Number Of Ingredients 6

4 ounces short pasta, such as penne
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (optional)
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets
2 1/2 ounces cream cheese (1/3 cup)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano, finely grated (1/3 cup), plus more for serving

Steps:

  • Cook pasta in a pot of generously salted boiling water 2 minutes less than per package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water and cover to keep warm. Add broccoli to pot; continue boiling until pasta is al dente and broccoli is bright green, 1 to 2 minutes more. Drain.
  • Return pot to medium heat; add cream cheese, butter, and 2/3 cup reserved pasta water. Cook, stirring, until mixture is smooth and simmering. Remove from heat; stir in pasta, broccoli, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Toss with more pasta water as needed until sauce clings to pasta. Serve with more Parmigiano and black pepper.

Tips:

  • For the creamiest mac and cheese, use a combination of sharp cheddar cheese and Gruyère cheese.
  • To make the mac and cheese extra gooey, add a little bit of cream cheese.
  • If you like your mac and cheese with a little bit of a kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
  • For a more flavorful mac and cheese, cook the macaroni in chicken broth instead of water.
  • To get a crispy topping on your mac and cheese, sprinkle some bread crumbs or crushed crackers on top before baking.

Conclusion:

This recipe for 20-minute mac and cheese is a quick and easy way to make a delicious and comforting meal. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a cheesy, gooey mac and cheese that the whole family will love. So next time you're short on time, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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